We here at WellCare share your commitment to improving the health of our community. We would like to partner with you in combating Opioid Use Disorder OUD and its risk for adverse events. For this reason, we are seeking to expand the number of providers who are able to offer Medication Assisted Treatment, MAT services. Per SAMHSA, MAT services use FDA-approved medications in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies to provide a "whole-patient" approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.
The SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act of 2018 expanded the ability of certain physicians to treat up to 100 patients if they satisfy one of the following two conditions:
- They hold a board certification in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry by the American Board of Preventive Medicine or the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; or
- They provide medication-assisted treatment in a qualified practice setting.
To prescribe or dispense buprenorphine, physicians must qualify for a physician waiver, which includes completing eight hours of required training, and applying for a physician waiver. Physicians can complete the Online Request for Patient Limit Increase.
To complete a Notice of Intent (DATA waiver Application), see the online request for Patient Limit Increase.
Physicians are also required to complete buprenorphine training and provide their training certificate after completing the Waiver Notification Form.
www.SAMHSA.gov also provides several resources targeted at the treatment of OUD, including:
As necessary, you may refer members for a higher level of care by searching www.findtreatment.gov.
Additionally, if you would like to refer the member to other in-network MAT Prescribers, please see:
- Clean Slate – Outpatient Addiction Medicine https://www.cleanslatecenters.com/
Available in AZ, FL, KY, TX
- GROUPS – Community, Therapy, Buprenorphine treatment https://joingroups.com/
Available in CA, IN, KY, ME, MI, NC
For WellCare’s Provider support please refer to our Provider Portal at https://provider.wellcare.com/
